Interlocking connectors with protrusion notched holes

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a building construction having a smaller aperture by extending the aperture top side edges referred to as protrusions and where the protrusions and the aperture bottom edges secure metal framing members from vertical movement and the aperture side edge and hole notches that secure the metal framing members from vertical and horizontal movement. The metal framing members have different shapes and notches that overlap other metal framing member that engage the metal support members to reduce or eliminate vertical and horizontal movement between the metal framing members.

This application is a a continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 14/946,378 filed Nov. 19, 2015 and this application claims priority to the following:

-   provisional application U.S. 62/900,501 filed Sep. 14, 2019 and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/898,181 filed Sep. 10, 2019 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/525,578     filed Jul. 29, 2019, and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/503,324     filed Jul. 3, 2019 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/449,386     filed Jun. 22, 2019 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/439,640     filed Jun. 12, 2019 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/406,289     filed May 8, 2019 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/396,624     filed Apr. 26, 2019 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/354,081     filed Mar. 14, 2019 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/198,831     filed Nov. 22, 2018 and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/195,847     filed Nov. 19, 2018 and; -   continuation-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/724,137     filed Nov. 3, 2017 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,442,136 issued Sep. 24, 2019     that included; -   provisional application U.S. 62/533,092 filed Jul. 16, 2017 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/490,917 filed Apr. 27, 2017 (now     expired) and -   provisional application U.S. 62/485,114 filed Apr. 13, 2017 (now     expired) and; -   continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/430,781     filed Feb. 13, 2017 that included -   provisional application U.S. 62/264,033 filed Jul. 15, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/274,134 filed Dec. 31, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/294,756 filed Feb. 12, 2016 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/298,782 filed Feb. 23, 2016 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/308,520 filed Mar. 15, 2016 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/345,153 filed Jun. 3, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/385,932 filed Sep. 9, 2016 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/339,434 filed Sep. 15, 2016 (now     expired) and; -   continuation-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/295,172     dated Oct. 17, 2016 that included -   provisional application U.S. 62/242,705 filed Oct. 16, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/244,135 filed Oct. 20, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/264,033 filed Dec. 7, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/274,134 filed Dec. 15, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/345,153 filed Mar. 6, 2016 (now     expired) and; -   continuous-in-part of pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/090,460     filed Nov. 19, 2015 that included -   provisional application U.S. 62/143,097 filed Apr. 4, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/208,766 filed Aug. 23, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/242,705 filed Nov. 16, 2015 (now     expired) and; -   continuous-in-part of pending application U.S. Ser. No. 14/946,378     filed Mar. 3, 2015 and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/083,276 filed Nov. 23, 2014 (now     expired) and; -   provisional application U.S. 62/139,916 filed Mar. 30, 2015 (now     expired) provisional application U.S. 62/170,269 filed Jun. 15, 2015     (now expired) and;

the disclosures of the above cited U.S. Patent Applications and U.S. Provisional Applications of the Applicant, including all drawings and all the specifications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into this U.S. Patent Application.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

PARTIES OR JOINT RESEARCH

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes spacing-bracing members intersection the metal framing members where in metal framing member has protrusions that extend into the hole of the metal framing member restricting the vertical and or horizontal movement of the spacing-bracing member within the hole of the metal framing members The protrusions reduces the size of the hole opening leaving a space between the bottom edge of the protrusion and the bottom edge of the hole for the spacing-bracing member room to fit under the protrusion. The width of the spacing-bracing restricts the horizontal movement to the side edges of the hole or lip notches or hole notches or other types of notches that restrict the spacer-brace from horizontal movement member and the protrusion restrict the vertical movement and other types of hole notches along with lip notches restrict the vertical movement. The vertical support of the protrusion allows various types of spacing-bracing member configurations to overlap or just fit below the protrusions, however many different spacer-brace configurations restrict the spacer-brace from moving horizontally as described throughout the application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spacing-bracing members have been typically connected to metal framing members by using fasteners. Over the years the properties of the metal for structural framing members have changed where the exterior surface of the metal is more abrasive allowing the connection between the horizontal bracing members and the vertical structural framing members to fit temporarily together. Fasteners have been the main means of connecting the spacing-bracing member that are usually installed vertically and the metal framing members being the structural component of a structural framing system. The protrusion and other means are used to connect the framing member together.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Typically metal framing member and horizontal bracing members have used fasteners to connect the framing members together. Prior art has made some improvements to restrict horizontal movement between metal framing members, however there has been no attempt to eliminate vertical movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to spacing-bracing members connected to metal framing members to eliminate vertical and horizontal movement without using fasteners when connecting two intersecting framing members together. Notches in the holes of the metal framing members forms a horizontal resistance when a spacing-bracing members are inserted into the hole notches as well a forming notches within a spacing-bracing member. The protrusions is an extension of the hole side edges that extend into the hole make a smaller hole perimeter. The protrusions form a protrusion bottom edge that engages the top edge and bottom edge of a spacing-bracing member from moving vertically. Another aspect of the invention is when the hole bottom edge has a ledge or any of the hole edges has very short protrusions extending the side edges of the hole where holes notches can be installed or when the short protrusion form a L-shape notches in the flanges of spacing-bracing members. The protrusions allow spacing-bracing members to form different configurations where the flanges have multiple bends, flanges having notches, lips having notches, flange-web notches, hook tongue connecting to receiver holes, spacing-bracing members wrap around the protrusion extending from the hole bottom edge, web-flange notches, bulges, bulge notches, spacing-bracing member with flanges facing upward or flanges facing downward toward the hole bottom edge. When the metal framing members have a protrusion to eliminate vertical movement any of the above solution will eliminate the horizontal movement between metal framing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the reverse lip spacer brace overlapping an adjacent reverse lip spacer brace both having U shaped opposing ends overlapping at a hole having hole protrusions.

FIG. 2 shows two adjacent upward oriented U shaped spacer braces connecting to a support member with the web of the longitudinal end having flange notches connected to the underside of a hole protrusion with the opposing end having a web extension with a hook tongue for insertion into a receiving hole in the web of the adjacent spacer brace along with 2 diagonal oriented U shaped spacer braces where the hook finger end connection has an extension that engages the hole top edge at the hole notch while the lower diagonal oriented U shaped spacer brace has a notch tab end connection that engages the hole side edges.

FIGS. 3-5 show how the hole side edges or protrusions can extend into the hole side edges to form other spacer brace configurations. The figures show how the bulges between the web and the flanges can create an indentation to secure the spacer brace into the hole side edges or how the bulges can have an indentation or notch to slide within the hole side edges and how the flanges can be bent and the lip also bent to create a different configuration of the spacer brace.

FIG. 6 shows an elevation of the hole in the support member with some of the various hole edge configurations that the notches could show. The inside edges of the hole can vary in shape and location depending on the shape of the spacer brace and where the hole notches in the protrusion are located. The protrusions and notches accomplish the same function as they both keep the spacer brace lodged in the hole notches or the side or bottom edges of the hole.

FIGS. 7-9 shows an elevation, enlargement and section of metal framing where the longitudinal ends has a web extension has an aperture for the tongue of the upper spacer brace to be inserted into and the upper spacer brace is allowed to swivel at the tongue and the width of the spacer braces can be equal or variable in width.

FIG. 10 shows the ledge at the top, bottom and on the side edges of the hole in the web of the support member.

FIG. 11 shows an upward oriented U shaped reverse lip spacer brace connecting adjacent support members and overlapping an adjacent spacer brace connecting the lip notches to the support members at the holes.

FIG. 12 shows an upward oriented U shaped reverse lip spacer brace having angular flanges connecting adjacent support members and overlapping an adjacent spacer brace connecting the lip notches to the support members at the holes.

FIG. 13 shows two downward oriented U shaped spacer braces where both longitudinal end shows indented flanges and web where one end has a hook finger where the extension is inserted into the holes notches and the opposing end has a hook tongue where the extension overlaps the first spacer brace with the hook tongue having a curvilinear tip for inserting into the receiver slot hole.

FIG. 14 shows a similar configuration as FIG. 13 except the reverse lip spacer braces are shown with the lips and hook finger support the reverse lip spacer brace at one end with the hook tongue at the opposing end has the extension overlapping the adjacent spacer brace.

FIG. 15 is an enlargement of FIG. 2

FIG. 16 shows a reverse lip spacer brace having bent flanges with lips and lip notches engaging the side edges of the hole with the web engaging the underside of the hole protrusions with a hook tongue extending into the hole receiver of the adjacent member.

FIG. 17 shows a similar reverse lip spacer brace as in FIG. 16, however FIG. 15 is an M-shaped spacer brace with lips and lip notches that extend into the hole side edges and braced at the underside of the hole protrusions.

FIG. 18 shows an inverted reverse lip spacer brace similar to FIG. 17 except the reverse spacer brace is support by a short leg of the member with the flange and lip both having notches that engage the hole protrusion.

FIG. 19 shows the reverse lip spacer brace engaging an I shaped hole at the top and bottom of the I shaped hole having diagonal and horizontal orientations.

FIG. 20 shows the end connection of the reverse lip spacer brace at the hole in the support member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS shows various types of overlapping spacer braces used to connect spacer braces through the holes in the support members as well as various configurations of the spacer braces to interlock the spacer braces together to make the connections to the support members.

FIG. 1 uses the reverse lip spacer brace 301 to connect to the hole 36 and the adjoining spacer braces. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 shows a web 301 a resting on the hole bottom edge 36 be with flanges 301 b extending upward from the free edges and canted at a slight angle with lip 301 c extending from the longitudinal edge with the lips 301 c having lip notches 126 p extending inward from the distal edge. The canted flanges are used as a spring mechanism as the lip notches 126 p extend into the hole side edges 36 se one lip 301 c at a time. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is installed at an angle where one lip notch 126 p is installed in the hole side edges 36 se and with pressure is then bent inward toward the web 301 a until the second lip notch 126 p is installed in the opposing hole side edge 36 se leaving the lip notches firmly engaging the hole side edges and forcing the flanges 301 b to become more vertically oriented as is the case when the lip notch 126 p is installed at an intermediate hole and at one end. The opposing longitudinal end has a similar profile that is the web 301 a and flanges 301 b without the lips 301 c, therefore forming a U shaped channel 302 configuration. The opposing end (U shaped spacer brace configuration 302) overlaps the reverse lip spacer brace 301 at the hole 36 where the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is extending past the hole 36 leaving the extension cantilevered past the hole 36. The overlapping end is installed over the cantilevered end with the lips 301 c extending over the lips 301 c of the adjoining reverse lip spacer brace 301. If the web 302 a of the overlapping end is the same width as the reverse lip spacer brace 301 end and the gauge of the metal framing is a light gauge, the web 302 a will bend slightly and the flange notches 126 f will fit tighter into the underside of the hole protrusion 36 p. However typically the overlapping end (U shaped spacer channel 302 end) will be slightly smaller, that is the width of the web 302 a will be narrower to allow for the two overlapping end configurations to overlap and fill under the bottom edge of the protrusion 36 p. The flange-lip notch 126 fg extends under hole protrusion 36 p, however the lip 301 c portion is removed allowing the flange notch 126 f (the lip removed) to engage the hole protrusion 36 p and become nestled the two flanges 301 b of the first reverse lip spacer brace 301.

In FIG. 2 shows two horizontally oriented U shaped spacer braces 302 intersecting at hole 36 where the right longitudinal end of the web 302 a is supported at the hole bottom edge 36 be with the longitudinal side edges have flanges 302 b that extend upward away from the hole bottom edge 36 be. The left end has the hook tongue 128 in the web 302 a and the right end has the receiver shot hole 129 sh for the hook tongue 128 to extend into when connecting adjacent U shaped spacer braces 302 together as previously described. The right longitudinal end has flange notches 126 fg where the flange notches 126 fg extend into the hole side edges 36 se and the hole protrusion 36 p. The hole protrusions 36 p are shown here extending into the flanges notches 126 fg that secures the U shaped spacer brace 302 from moving laterally as well as vertically. Many different shapes of spacer braces with and without lips can restrict the horizontal and vertical movement within support members. At the hole top edge 36 te shows a diagonal oriented U shaped spacer brace 302 where the flanges 302 b and web 302 a are indented with a hook finger 127 extending from the web 302 a across the hole top edge 36 te with the finger end extending upward so a fastener 122 can be connected to the web 42 a. The extension 302 e is inserted into a hole notch 126 h or a hole protrusion 36 p where the extension 302 e so as to form a hole notch 126 h to accomplish the same function of preventing horizontal and vertical movement as well as the hook finger 127 and the longitudinal end edge also securing the web 42 a. At the hole bottom edge 36 be the U shaped spacer brace 302 is shown intersecting the hole bottom edge 36 be at a diagonal where the longitudinal end of the web 302 a shows the notched tab 126 nt end fitting against the hole side edges 36 se or into a hole notch 126 h (not shown). In this case the downward oriented diagonal U shaped spacer brace 302 is inserted into the hole bottom edge 36 be first where the longitudinal end has notch tab 126 nt where the notches 126 n fit against the hole side edges 36 se with the tabs 126 t and the longitudinal edges of the flanges 302 b engage both sides of the web 42 a of the support member. After the lower U shaped spacer brace 302 is installed over the hole bottom edge 36 be, the first horizontal U shaped spacer brace 302 previously described is installed over the longitudinal end of the notched tab 126 nt of the diagonal U shaped spacer brace by installing the U shaped spacer brace 302 at an angle then turned so the flange notches 126 fg can engage the underside of the hole protrusion 36 p first. The previously mentioned identical U shaped spacer brace 302 with the hook tongue on the left longitudinal end can then be inserted into the receiver slot hole 129 sh of the second U shaped spacer brace 302. Obviously different longitudinal ending connections can be used to form a rigid connection between the metal framing members.

FIGS. 3 & 4 show two hole elevations and FIG. 5 shows an isometric view. An irregular shaped reverse lip spacer brace 301 is shown having the plane of the web 301 a resting on the hole bottom edge 36 be with the side planes extending upward at an angle sloping inward at an acute angle forming a bulge 301 g at their intersection. The bulge 301 g can be formed to have a bulge notch 126 g where the web 301 a and a portion of the flange 301 b have a combined notch referred to as a bulge notch 126 g or the bulge 301 g has no notch at all. The longitudinal edge of the flanges 301 b have lips 301 c that bend outward toward the hole side edge 36 se as shown in FIG. 5. The free edge of the lip 301 c abuts a hole protrusion 36 p as shown on the left hole side edge 36 se or indented shown as a lip hole notch 126 hp. The structural integrity of the hole 36 should be at the furthest indentation at the lip hole notch 126 hp. FIG. 3 shows two overlapping U shaped spacer braces 302 having a web 302 a with upward extending flanges 302 b from the side edges of the web 302 a having an acute angle to the web 302 a and lips 302 c extending outward at an angle away from the web.302 a. The first U shaped spacer brace 302 shows a bulge 302 g at the web-flange intersection that can extend into a hote notch 126 h when aligned with the bulge 302 g or the bulge 302 g can have a bulge notch 126 g where the bulge notch 126 g is inserted into the hole side edges 36 se. The U shaped spacer brace 302 with the bulge notches 126 g is inserted into the hole 36 first with the bulge notches 126 g engaging the side edges of the aperture. The opposing end of the U shaped spacer brace 302 has a smaller width profile that is a narrower web 302 a, taller flanges 302 b and flange notches 126 f extend into the underside of the notched hole 126 h. The smaller width longitudinal end from an identical second U shaped spacer brace overlaps the first U shaped spacer brace that is nestled between the flanges 302 b, however the flanges 302 b have flange notches 126 f at the distal ends that engage the underside of the hole protrusions 36 p. The bent flange 302 b with lips 302 c are bent to form a tight fit against the hole side edge 36 se. The outward projecting flanges 302 b having flange notches 126 f pushes against the hole side edges 36 se so when the web 302 a also pushes against the hole side edges 36 se, the flange 302 b will become more erect or vertical is against the hole side edges 36 se. The left side of the hole side edge 36 se in FIG. 4 shows an inverted reverse lip spacer brace 301 as shown on the right hole side edge 36 se. By having the left side inverted, the web 301 a have both the longitudinal sides extending downward and the flange-bulges 126 fg at the corner of the flanges 301 b and the web 301 a and are braced by hole protrusions 36 p that extend above the web 301 a. The longitudinal sides of the flanges 301 b have flange notches 126 f extending inward from the free edges. The angled flanges 301 b with flange notches 126 f are the same on both the left and right sides of the holes 36. The left side is held in place by the flange notches 126 f extending around both the side planes of the web 42 a and the web 301 a has its top plane fitting under the hole protrusion 36 p keeping the reverse lip spacer brace 301 secured within the hole 36. In the isometric view FIG. 5 shows an extended lip 301 ce that is also angled. The extended lip 301 ce has the lip notch 126 p extending inward from the free edge of the extended lip 301 ce. FIG. 5 could also be a U-shaped spacer brace 302 having flange notches 126 f extend into the hole protrusion 36 p or on the hole bottom edge 36 be, because the hole protrusion 36 p gives the U-shaped spacer brace 302 an entirely new invention as the hole protrusion 36 p keep the U-shaped spacer brace 302 from moving vertically within the hole 36.

FIG. 6 shows the hole 36 with many different hole notches 126 h and various configurations so the edges of a horizontal spacing-bracing channel can intersected any of the hole edges to secure the horizontal spacing-bracing member from moving vertically or horizontally within the hole 36 opening. The hole bottom edge 36 be shows a notched-tab 126 nt extending upward into the hole 36 from the web 42 a of the support member. The outside plane of the web 302 a of the reverse lip spacer brace 302 has a notched-tab indentation 126 nti corresponding to a shadow profile of the notched-tab 126 nt at the hole bottom edge 36 be so the two metal crossing members interlock together. The size of the hole 36 in support members have standard hole dimensions, because the structural strength of the support member is based on a specific size of a hole. The hole variations are based on reducing the interior hole dimensions by adding protrusions, not by removing portions of the web 42 a to form the hole 36 configurations. In other FIG's the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is shown in reverse with the lips 301 c adjacent to the hole bottom edge 36 be similar to FIG. 4. When this occurs the web 301 a is installed below the hole protrusions 36 p located at the hole side edges 36 se securing the reverse lip spacer brace 301 within the hole 36 vertically and the lip notches 301 c extending around the hole side edges 36 se or hole bottom edge 36 be secure the reverse lip spacer brace 301 from horizontal movement. The installation of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 under the hole protrusions 36 p and along with the lip 301 c or the lip notches 126 p requires the bracing channel to be rotated between the hole edges allowing the reverse lip spacer brace to obtain better angled leverage for easier installation as well as give flexibility to the metal properties of the reverse lip spacer brace 301. The same configurations of the various notches and horizontal spacing-bracing members can be applied to other connection criteria used to hole the two crossing framing members together. So by making the hole smaller by adding hole protrusions 36 p, the hole is now smaller, but large enough to install hole notches 36 n in the hole protrusions 36 p without have to retest the structural capacity of the support member. Some hole protrusions 36 p use one side of the hole protrusion 36 p as a hole notch 126 h and the existing hole side edge 36 se as another surface to form a hole notch 126 h. The hole protrusions 36 p should if possible not to protrude into the web 42 of the metal framing member, in order not to be inserted further into the hole perimeter.

FIGS. 7 & 8 shows an elevation and section of metal framing where the U shaped spacer brace 302 are oriented upward opposite while in FIG. 9 the flanges are oriented downward engaging the hole bottom edge 36 be. FIGS. 8 & 9 show a U shaped spacer brace 302 having a web 302 a with flanges 302 b extending from the web 302 a and flange-notches 126 fg at the free edge of the flanges 302 b. When the U shaped spacer brace 302 overlap each other at the hole 36 the connecter having smaller width web 302 a is used as the inner spacing-bracing member with the larger width web 302 a being over the smaller width web 302 a. When the first connector has the web 302 a supported by the hole bottom edge 36 be the flange notches 126 ng are installed at the underside of the protrusion 36 p extending from the hole side edges 36 se from the hole 36. When a second U shaped spacer brace 302 has a smaller width web 302 a is installed into the larger width U shaped spacer brace 302 the flange notch 126 fg has the back end side edges being aligned with the first connector. On the other hand, when the U shaped spacer brace 302 has the flanges 302 b facing downward with the flanges notches 126 fg engaging the hole bottom edge 36 be, the second connector is installed in the hole 36 first and the first connector is installed over the first connector. The same is true when the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is used as the U shaped spacer brace 302 is the same as a reverse lip spacer brace 301 has lips 301 c with lip notches 126 p. In addition lip notches can be extended into lip-flange notches 126 lp. Anyway when the flanges notches 126 fg or flange-lip notches 126 lp extend downward into the hole bottom edge 36 be and when the second connector has a deeper flange notch 126 fg, the second connector is recessed lower into the hole bottom edge 36 be. When the second connector has a lower recess, the first connector will be lower allowing the web 302 a to fit under the bottom edge of the protrusion. Therefore the flange notches 126 fg at the hole 36 whether the U shaped spacer braces 302 overlap at the hole 36 or connect to the hole 36 at an intermediate spacing member connection, the distance between the protrusion bottom edge and the hole bottom edge 36 be remain the same distance apart. The same principle occurs when the spacer brace is a reverse lip spacer brace 301 with the first connector has the lip 301 c resting on the hole bottom edge 36 be and the second connector has the lip-flange notch 126 lp having the flange 301 b portion of the lip-flange notch 126 lp resting on the hole bottom edge 36 be. In FIG. 9 the right side shows the smaller U shape spacer brace 302 having a deeper flange notch 126 fg. At the left side shows the upper U shaped spacer brace 302 has flange-web notches 126 fw at the corner intersections of the flange 302 b and web 302 a at the end of two overlapping U shaped spacer braces 302. The flange-web notches 126 fw allows the bottom edge of the protrusion 36 p to engage the web 302 a of the lower U shaped spacer brace 302.

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a support member shown as a C channel 42 having a web 42 a with flanges 42 b extending interior inward with lips 42 c extending interior parallel to the web 42. The web 42 a shows ledges 79 at the top, bottom and on all four edges of the hole 36. The ledge 79 at the top of the support member extends ventrally inward with the width shown as wide as the hole 36 below; however the length of the ledge 79 can be any length. The ledge 79 at the bottom of the web 42 a in the support member is shorter and has a ledge indentation 79 a on both sides of the punched out tab 326 extending interior inward located in the center of the web 42 a. The ledge indentation 79 i are shown on both sides of the ledge 79 to allow the flanges 302 b of the U shaped spacer brace 302 to pass through. The ledge 79 in the hole 36 shows the ledge 79 the top and bottom edge to be longer than the hole 36 width. The ledge 79 shown vertically at the hole 36 initially starts to bend at the side edges of the top and bottom ledges 79. The overlapping edges of the ledges 79 allow the ledges 79 to extend to each corner of the hole 36 rather than having a gap of no ledges 79 in the corners of the hole 36. Below is another hole 36 also showing the ledges 79, however the lower hole 36 shows the ledges 79 located only in the middle of the hole side edges 36 se so the reverse lip spacer braces 301 can have the lips 301 c extend under the bottom edges of the ledges 79 allowing the lip notches 126 p extend under the ledge 79 and engage the hole side edges 36 se as shown in similarly in FIG. 55 or at any hole notch 126 h.

FIG. 11 shows a reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a web 301 a with flanges extending vertically approximately coplanar to the holes side edges 36 se with lips 301 c having lip nothes 126 p and where an adjoining second reverse lip spacer brace 301 overlaps the first reverse lip spacer brace 301. In order to overlap each other the reverse lip spacer braces 301 the width of the web 301 a, the length of the flanges 301 b or the lips 301 c will vary depending on shape and snugness between reverse lip spacer braces 301. This continuation in part application shows the hole notches 126 h at the hole side edges 36 se, but is only shown at the furthers left hole rather than all the holes 36 in the support member for clarification purposes. The lip notches 126 p at the left support member show the lips 301 c with the lip notches 126 p shorter while the hole notches 126 h have a deeper depth so the lip notches 126 p will extend deeper into the hole notch 126 h, therefore eliminating any vertical and horizontal movement within the hole notch 126 h. All the holes 36 can have hole notches 126 h to eliminate vertical movement at the holes 36 or maybe installed at the hole side edges 36 se without the hole notch 126 h. At the right no hole notches 126 h are shown as the hole notches 126 h can be a double lip notch 126 dp. If the hole notch 126 h is wide enough for only one lip notch 126 p the lower reverse lip spacer braces 301 would have its lip notch 126 p not fit into the hole notch 126 h and only the upper reverse lip spacer brace at the lip notch 126 p would only engage the hole notch 126 h keeping the lower spacer brace 301 tight against the hole bottom edge 36 be. As mentioned in U.S. Ser. No. 15/449,250 the width of upper oriented spacer brace has a narrower width web 301 with longer flanges 301 b and longer lips 201 c to fit into the lower reverse lip spacer brace 301.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 except the flanges 301 b are angular allowing two overlapping reverse lip spacer braces 301 to fit against each other. The web 301 a, flanges 301 b and lips dimensions can vary depending how the upper reverse lip spacer brace 301 wants to fit into the lower reverse lip spacer brace 301. The hole notches 126 h can be a double hole notch 126 dh and the lips 301 c can be double requiring a double lip notch 126 dp as for FIG. 11. FIGS. 11 & 12 do not show a gap 45 between the overlapping lips 301 c because the web 301 a is narrower than the lower reverse lip spacer brace 301 and the flanges 301 b are longer in length and the lips 301 c are wider in width as the longitudinal edges of the lips 301 c. The overlapping spacer braces become nestled together for a stronger connection.

FIG. 13 shows two U shaped spacer braces 302 having a web 302 a with two longitudinal side edges having flanges 302 b that extend downward with a first end having flanges 302 b and web 302 a with a web extension 302 e shown inserted into the hole notches 126 h at the finger end of the hook finger 127 with the longitudinal ends of the flanges 302 b engaging both side planes of the web 42 a of the support member. Flange notches 126 fg are also shown as intermediate connections between support members with the flange notches 126 fg extending the full height of the flanges 302 b so the side edges of the web 302 a can be inserted into the hole notches 126 h. The left longitudinal end of the U shaped spacer braces 302 also has the flanges 302 b and web 302 a indented, however the indentation 302 i at the web 302 a is deeper as the extension 302 e at the web 302 a is narrower as the extension 302 i passes through the hole 36 where the tongue end shown having a curvilinear hook of the hook tongue 128 will be inserted into the receiver slot hole 129 sh shown in the web 302 a near the right longitudinal end. Since the extension 302 e at the right longitudinal end is being inserted into the hole notches 126 n, the U shaped spacer brace 302 will be installed at an angle having the extensions 302 e engaging the hole notches 126 h.

FIG. 14 shows the two reverse lip channels shown in FIG. 11, however the longitudinal end configurations as similar to FIG. 11. The lip 301 c is wider than the hole 36 therefore the longitudinal ends of the lips 301 c abut one side plane of the web 42 and the web 301 a has an extension 301 e where the hook finger 127 extends over the hole bottom edge 36 be with the finger end securing the opposing plane of the web 42 a at the hole 36. The opposing longitudinal end of an identical reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the left longitudinal end with the extension 301 e of the web 301 a extended through the hole 36 where the extension 301 e rests on the web 301 a of the first reverse lip spacer brace with the hook portion extending through the receiver slot hole 129 sh.

FIG. 15 is an enlargement of FIG. 2. The left and right reverse lip spacer braces can be connected together when the blunt ends meet, however one end of the reverse lip spacer braces 301 has to have a larger or smaller width profile so the overlapping profiles will fit together otherwise a space occurs between the webs 301 a. Obviously if the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is installed over the U shaped spacer brace 302 the flanges 301 b have to be longer to fit over the flanges 302 b of the U shaped spacer brace 302 reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the protrusion 36 p resting on the flange portion of the web-flange notch 126 pf. The web-flange notch 126 pf or the flange notch 126 fg both prevent vertical and horizontal movement when extending into the protrusion 36 p the web-flange notch 126 pf. Assuming the diagonal framing member is removed the reverse lip spacer brace 301, two U shape spacer brace 302 can overlap or two reverse lip spaces 301 can overlap each other as stated earlier with the flange notch 126 fg and the flange-lip notch 126 pf would then engage the hole bottom edge 36 be and the protrusions 36 p would then engage the web 302 a and 301 a. In order to eliminate the changing of size the flange notch 126 fg would have a deeper depth flange at the overlapping end so the deeper flange 301 b or 302 b can extend deeper into the flange notches 126 fg.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 14 & FIG. 15 except in FIG. 16 the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is oriented downward with the lips 301 c and lip notches 126 p engaging the hole side edges 36 se and the hole bottom edge 36 be. The flanges 301 ba and 301 bb bend outward toward the hole side edges 36 se forming a bulge shape with the outer plane of the web 301 a fitting under the bottom edge of the protrusion 36 p. Referring back to FIG. 15, the right protrusion 36 p does not have the ledge 79 at the bottom edge. The right flange 302 b is shown having a deeper flange notch 126 fg so the lower U shaped spacer brace 302 is set lower into the hole bottom edge 36 be. In addition the hole bottom edge 36 be is shown here as a ledge shaft 79 s having a notched tab 126 nt configuration where the notched tab notch 126 ntn is indented at the hole bottom edge 36 be and tapered to conform to the side flanges 301 ba and 301 bb. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 nestles snuggly against the side edges of the ledge shaft 79 s to prevent the reverse lip spacer brace 301 from moving vertically. The protrusions 36 p provide additional support to keep the reverse lip spacer brace 301 from moving vertically. The hook tongue 128 having a tongue 128 t extending into the receiving slot hole 129 s of an adjacent connecting spacing-bracing member. The right spacing-bracing member has the hook tongue 128 being on the same plane as the web 301 a or raised as shown on the left spacing-bracing member. If the spacing-bracing member is oriented with the lips 301 c and lip notches 126 p engage the underside of the protrusion 36 p then the ledge shaft 79 s can be deleted and the hole side edges 36 se will then conform to the flange 301 b configuration.

FIG. 17 & FIG. 18 have a similar configuration as FIG. 11 where the W-shape reverse lip brace 318 is facing upward as a W-shape or downward having an M-shape. FIG. 17 is shown as having lip notches 126 p while FIG. 18 shows lip-flange notches 126 pf. In FIG. 17 lip-flange notches 126 pf can be used if the hole side edges 36 se have a narrower hole 36 opening. Not shown is a narrower hole 36 opening can have sloped hole side edge 36 se. Also shown in FIG. 17 the lip 318 c, flange 318 b and web 318 a are shown having a continuous notch consisting of a lip notch 126 p and flange notches 126 fw at two edges. The continuous notch could be an indentation in the metal forming as a groove 121 rather than a continuous notch (like an accordion where the middle is bent inward from the exterior plane of the spacing-bracing member. The continuous groove would then have sloped hole side edges 36 se with the short flange segment 318 ba having the notch 126 fw fitting into the bottom edge of the hole protrusion. In FIG. 18 the reverse occurs with the lip-flange notch 126 fp engages the underside of the hole protrusion 36 p with lip-flange notch 126 fp and another independent notch located in the flange 318 ba would be installed to engage the hole bottom edge 36 be. FIG. 17 shows one such notch at flange 318 ba which is now referred to as 126 ba, is a notch 126 ba at the ba side of the flange 318 ba. The ba notch 126 ba can also be used in FIG. 17 where the ba notch 126 ba is installed at the underside of the hole protrusion 36 p.

FIG. 19 shows the hole protrusion used in FIGS. 16 & 17 where the notched hole 126 h is a hole 36 having a perimeter where the entire spacer brace fits against into the notched hole and engages the hole perimeter to secure the spacer brace to the support member. In FIGS. 19-21 show an I-shaped notched hole 126 ih where the overall shape is an I-shape. The I-shape is in the shape of a capital letter I, that is the perimeter shape of the hole 36 is in the shape of an I-shape. The middle area or middle notched area being referred to as a stem. The hole 36 defined by the perimeter being the hole side edges of the hole protrusion 36 pc and a large top end (head) having a T-shape and a bottom end (head) having an inverted T-shape. The T-shape being the perimeter of the I-shaped notched hole 126 ih at the top end and bottom end of the I-shape. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is shown extending over the bottom hole bottom edge 36 be of the bottom head of the inverted shaped T with the lips 301 c fitting under the hole protrusion 36 p and connected by another hole notch 126 h. The top head of the I-shaped notched hole 126 ih shows a diagonal reverse lip spacer brace 301 engaging the hole perimeter and a notched hole 126 h is shown where the lip notches 126 p engage the perimeter of the I shaped notched hole 126 ih. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is also secured by having web-flange notches 126 wf where the web 301 a and flanges 301 b intersect. The web-flange notches 126 wf engage the top edge of the hole protrusion 36 p thereby adding additional support if necessary.

Various shapes of horizontal spacing-bracing members are shown throughout the application having different means to connecting a spacing-bracing member or several spacing-bracing members together to adjacent metal support members as well as various means to close the hole in the support member to create a fire stop between the spacing-bracing chambers and the support members

The present invention of the unique spacer braces are so versatile that the spacer brace allows for a much easier and quicker installation of metal framing walls, installing horizontal and diagonal lateral bracing or installing hold-down spacer bracing at floors, installing horizontal and diagonal braces between support members either between holes or at the flanges.

It is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or structures shown and describing in the specification and drawings, since obvious modifications and equivalents will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The flexibility of the described invention is very versatile and can be used in many different types of building applications. 

1. A structural framing system having interlocking overlapping framing elements between metal framing supports comprising of: a first longitudinal framing element having a longitudinal planar web having a first end and an opposing second end with longitudinal wall flanges extending from said planar web and longitudinal lips extending from said wall flanges with lip notches extending inward from the longitudinal lip edges being continuous and extending into said wall flanges; a first metal framing member having an aperture defining an irregular shaped perimeter in a planar wall, the aperture having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the aperture having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, the aperture adapted to receive the connector, the aperture having a first arm proximate an intersection of the first side and the third side and a second arm proximate an intersection of the second side and the third side with a gap between said first arm and said second arm; said first end of said first longitudinal framing element having said planar web engage said fourth side edge engage aperture in first metal framing support with said longitudinal wall flanges and said lip notches engage said third side edges with said lip notches engaging said first side edge and said third side edges; for a second longitudinal framing element having a similar configuration as said first longitudinal framing element extending from a second metal framing member has said second end overlapping said first end for said first longitudinal framing element for said second end having a narrow width web profile to overlap the first end of said web nestled between said longitudinal walls with said flange notches engaging the said second edge of the perimeter of said aperture.
 2. The structural framing system according to claim 1 wherein the first side wall and the second side wall of said second metal framing element are separated by a web and each having an indented notch from the free edge of said first side wall and said second side wall with said web supported at said fourth side with said indented notches engage the bottom edge of said first arm and said second arm.
 3. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein the second framing member has an overlapping third framing member of a smaller U-shaped profile similar to said second framing member with said first side walls and second side wall having notches engaging the underside of said first arm and said second arm.
 4. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein the second framing member has an overlapping third framing member having a W-shape profile with a short web between a first side wall and a second side wall opposite said first side wall having a third side wall and a fourth side wall and a fifth side wall extending against side fourth side with a fifth side wall and a sixth side wall extending upward to the underside of said first arm and said second arm.
 5. The structural framing system according to claim 4 wherein the second framing member has an overlapping third framing member of a smaller W-shaped profile similar to said second framing member with said first side walls and second side wall having notches engaging the underside of said first arm and said second arm.
 6. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein said second framing member with the corner notch at said web and said first side wall and the opposing corner notch at said web at said second side wall each have corner notches engage said first arm and said second arm.
 7. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein said second framing member with said web have angular side walls extending toward said first side wall and said fourth wall and said second angular wall extend toward said fourth side and said third with and from said web have angular side walls with said sloped side walls with said first angular side walls and said second angular side walls have receiver slot holes in said side wall for said first arm and said second arm extend into said receiver slot holes.
 8. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein said first framing member has angular fourth side at said first side and said second side with a flat fourth side between said angular sloping fourth side bottom edge with the second framing member having corner notches at said web and said first angular side and said web and said second angular side
 9. The structural framing system according to claim 8 wherein said second framing member is overlapping a third framing member where the web of the third framing member is wider than the width of said aperture with web notches extending from the side edges of said web engaging said first side and said second side of said aperture with said first framing member engaging said first side and said first arm and said second side and said second arm in said first framing member.
 10. The structural framing system according to claim 1 wherein said second framing member having a web having an irregular shape with a notches tab end having notches at longitudinal end with said notches indented from the free side edges for the said notches to extend into the aperture side edges with said web notches engage both side of the planar of said aperture with said web notches indent from said longitudinal end of said second framing member.
 11. The structural framing system according to claim 1 wherein said second framing member having a web having side walls extending from the longitudinal edges of said web with said side walls extend upward to said underside of said first arm and said second arm.
 12. The structural framing system according to claim 1 wherein said second framing member have lips extending away from said web with said lips having lip notches engage both sides of the planar wall having said first arm and said second arm engage the said lips.
 13. The structural framing system according to claim 12 wherein said second framing extends overs said fourth side of said aperture from one direction and has a third framing member having a smaller profile for said first arm and said second arm to engage the said side walls of said third framing member with said lips for said second framing member and said third framing member engaging the planar wall at said aperture in said first framing member.
 14. The structural framing system according to claim 13 wherein said second framing member and said third framing member have flange-lip-flange notches where said web notch has a continuous notch with said web notch extending into each side walls of said second framing member and said third framing member with said bottom edge of said aperture extending into said web notches and engaging further into said flange-web-flange notch with said web portion extending into said flange-lip-notch having said aperture bottom edge engage said notch in said side walls of said second framing member and said third framing member.
 15. The structural framing system according to claim 1 wherein said second metal framing member having an irregular shape first side wall and an irregular shape second side wall with at least one notch configured to be received between the fourth side and the first arm and the second arm and between the first side and the second side of the first metal framing member.
 16. The structural framing system according to claim 1 wherein said first metal framing member having said aperture with an irregular shaped perimeter having a lower aperture with an stem gap connected to an upper aperture having an I shape in a planar wall, said lower aperture having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the aperture having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, the aperture adapted to receive said connector, said aperture having a first arm proximate an intersection of the first side and the third side and a second arm proximate an intersection of the second side and the third side with a stem gap between said first arm and said second arm, and having upper aperture having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the aperture having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, the lower and upper apertures adapted to receive said connectors.
 17. A structural framing system having interlocking overlapping framing elements between metal framing supports comprising of: a first longitudinal framing element having a longitudinal planar web having a first end and an opposing second end with longitudinal wall flanges extending from said planar web with flange notches extending inward from the longitudinal edges; a first metal framing member having an aperture defining an irregular shaped perimeter in a planar wall, the aperture having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the aperture having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, the aperture adapted to receive the connector, the aperture having a first arm proximate an intersection of the first side and the third side and a second arm proximate an intersection of the second side and the third side with a gap between said first arm and said second arm; said first end of said first longitudinal framing element having said planar web engage said fourth side edge engage aperture in first metal framing support with said longitudinal wall flanges with flange notches engage said third side edges with said flange notches engaging said first side edge and said third side edges; for a second longitudinal framing element having a similar configuration as said first longitudinal framing element extending from a second metal framing member has said second end overlapping said first end for said first longitudinal framing element for said second end having a narrow width web profile to overlap the first end of said web nestled between said longitudinal walls with said flange notches engaging the said second edge of the perimeter of said aperture. 